Tongs for Nothing: My (Latest) Parenting Failure

You know that moment when you're heading out your front door for a big trip and you keep going over that mental list to make sure you've taken care of everything?

Dog sitter, mail hold, toothbrush, tickets, directions, deadbolt ...

That's where I am right now as a parent. My oldest is driving, earning paychecks from two jobs, and getting ready to apply to colleges. As he heads toward the front door for the trip of his life, that list keeps ticking through my head. Have I taught him everything he needs to know?

Walking, talking, using the potty. Check. We hit the concrete survival skills early, and we hit 'em hard.

Swimming, reading, using crosswalks. Check.

Next came the social arts: Sharing, patience, bathing. Nailed it.

Kindness, honesty, courage. I'd say 90 percent. Eight-five, ninety.

After that, things get fuzzier. Nursing a cold, ironing a shirt, changing a tire ... Mmmaybe. In a life-or-death situation. A life-or-death runny-nose, wrinkled-shirt, flat-tire situation. But filing a tax return? Getting mildew off a shower curtain? Shipping internationally? I mean, I can't even do those things.